Fragrance as art took center stage once again as The Fragrance Foundation (TFF) USA brought its epic annual Awards to the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in NYC. As the industry’s biggest celebration of creative achievement in American fragrance with over 1,000 in attendance, The 2026 Fragrance Foundation Awards presented the highly anticipated Awards celebrating the best in scent from perfumes to packaging. The evening also awarded the industry’s highest honors to Nordstrom, Inc., as Hall of Fame honoree and to Master Perfumer Honorine Blanc of dsm-firmenich, as Lifetime Achievement Perfumer. Two fragrance inspired artworks created by TFF’s collaboration with artist and illustrator Melissa Koby also made their debut on stage.
Linda G. Levy, President of The Fragrance Foundation USA noted “Tonight’s ceremony was a magnificent celebration of American fragrance from its artistry to its cultural impact. As the most prestigious event of the fragrance industry, the iconic status of The Fragrance Foundation Awards symbolizes the importance of America’s perfumers, brands, fragrance houses and retailers in the world of fragrance, as well as the diversity within our community,” She added, ”Each of the Award winners to the two special honors of the night – The Hall of Fame and the Lifetime Achievement Perfumer- reflected a unique journey to this stage from a milestone celebration to a perfumer’s extraordinary body of work and the emotional connection created with the consumer.”
Upon accepting the Hall of Fame Award, Jamie Nordstrom, Chief Merchandising Officer, Nordstrom, Inc. shared, “Receiving this recognition from The Fragrance Foundation means a lot to us and receiving it in our 125th anniversary year makes it that much more special. This award is really a reflection of the people who have built this business over 125 years. Fragrance has been a meaningful part of our story for many decades, and to be recognized by the industry in this way is something we’re genuinely proud of.”
Said Honorine Blanc, Master Perfumer, dsm-firmenich, “I am deeply honored to receive the Lifetime Achievement Perfumer Award – especially coming from The Fragrance Foundation in the United States. This recognition reflects a career devoted to passion, creativity and joy.”
The event was star-studded featuring renowned fashion designers, sports figures, supermodels, actors and editors in addition to perfumers, brand founders and industry leaders. Presenters included CMA winner and Grammy Nominated Singer and Songwriter Kelsea Ballerini, Dwyane Wade, Hall of Famer and Global Ambassador for Aramis Intuition, Wes Gordon, Creative Director of Carolina Herrera, Violet Grey founder, Cassandra Grey, Elorea co-founders Wonny Lee and Su min Park, and Cosmopolitan’s Beauty Editor-at-Large, Julee Wilson. TFF’s Red Carpet was hosted by Harper’s Bazaar Beauty Editor, Jenna Rosenstein.
Special guests of the fragrance community included designers Francisco Costa, Rebecca Moses and Vera Wang, and renowned photographer Michael Avedon.
Photography will be available in the coming days.